RTÉ Sport and Horse Racing Ireland announce new three-year broadcasting deal

Thursday, 01 Apr 2021 15:09

RTÉ Sport and Horse Racing Ireland have announced today that they have agreed a new broadcasting deal for live coverage of Irish horse racing for the next three years that will deliver a record number of free-to-air live racing days in Ireland.

Under the new deal, RTÉ will broadcast 31 days of live racing in 2021, rising to 32 live days in 2022 and in 2023.

RTÉ will continue to bring Irish audiences closer to all the action from the coveted Festivals at Fairyhouse, Punchestown, the Curragh, Galway and Leopardstown., while new to the RTÉ schedule will be the Ascot Trials Day from Naas in May, and a series of top-quality winter Sundays over the jumps.

2021’s action continues this Easter Sunday and Monday from 2.30pm with Racing from Fairyhouse, culminating in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National.

Group Head of Sport at RTÉ, Declan McBennett, said: “Horse racing is an integral part of the RTÉ Sport offering, and we are delighted to extend our partnership with Horse Racing Ireland and the racecourses. The trainers and jockeys in particular have proven repeatedly that they are at the very forefront of their profession internationally, and we hope to see the very best of Irish equine talent over the next three years.”

Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “RTÉ has long been a wonderful partner for Irish racing, and we are delighted to extend our relationship for a further three years. The increased coverage is very welcome and will enhance the telling of our great racing stories.”

RTÉ Fixtures 2021

Jan 28 Gowran Park
Feb 6 Leopardstown Dublin Racing Festival
Feb 7 Leopardstown Dublin Racing Festival
April 4 Fairyhouse Easter Festival
April 5 Fairyhouse Easter Festival
April 27 Punchestown Festival
April 28 Punchestown Festival
April 29 Punchestown Festival
April 30 Punchestown Festival
May 1 Punchestown Festival
May 16 Naas Royal Ascot Trials Day
May 22 Curragh Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas
May 23 Curragh Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas
June 26 Curragh Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby
June 27 Curragh Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes
July 17 Curragh Juddmonte Irish Oaks
July 26 Galway Festival
July 27 Galway Festival
July 28 Galway Festival
July 29 Galway Festival
September 11 Leopardstown Longines Irish Champions Weekend
September 12 Curragh Longines Irish Champions Weeekend
October 30 Down Royal
November 14 Punchestown
November 28 Fairyhouse Winter Festival
December 5 Punchestown/Cork
December 26 Leopardstown/Limerick Christmas Festivals
December 27 Leopardstown/Limerick Christmas Festivals
December 28 Leopardstown/Limerick Christmas Festivals
December 29 Leopardstown/Limerick Christmas Festivals

*Navan fixture in November TBC